After 3 months, my favorite new money app has replaced my bank

Some are better than others. Some advertise with talking babies. More and more of them are developing strong online services — and there are external apps like Mint that can help you manage your money. But mostly, banking is still a terrible experience dominated by bad apps, bad fees, and bad customer service.

When my already-difficult-to-work-with local bank got gobbled up by an even-more-difficult-to-work-with bigger bank in the fall, I decided to make a major switch. I had seen ads for Simple, an app-only bank that promises high-quality customer care that old-school physical banks can't offer. It stores your cash with The Bancorp Bank, an FDIC-insured account, and never charges overdrafts or other fees.

I moved a small amount of money in to see how I'd like it. After three months, I've made it my primary checking account. Here's why.

Simple's home page is the app's most useful feature.

Simple

The app keeps track of deposits, spending, and transfers right on your phone. And you get a notification for each new transaction. It's a great way to keep an eye on your spending — and to watch out for theft.

You can also use the app to manage your card.

Simple

This page lets you temporarily or permanently block a card the moment you think it might be missing. You can also change your PIN.

Even though Simple doesn't have any physical locations, it's easy to get your hands on your cash.

Simple

The app keeps track of no-fee ATMs where you can withdraw money. I've had no trouble finding one in Chicago, New York City, Cleveland, or even the sparse Poconos mountains of Pennsylvania.

Another great feature of Simple is how it helps you save.

Simple

First, you create a "goal" on the second page of the app.

You tell Simple how much you need.

Simple

Then you tell it when you need it by.

Simple

Simple then handles the saving for you.

Simple

The app shifts enough money out of your "Safe-To-Spend" amount listed at the top of your screen every day to meet the goal. You can keep track of your goals on this handy, attractive page and mark existing transactions as being toward that goal.

The cash is still in your checking account — you can spend it in an emergency — but the app helps you be responsible enough not to. Of course for longer-term saving, you'll want a true savings account.

Simple makes it easy to move your money around.

Simple

You can mail checks without carrying around a checkbook ...

Simple

... and set up automatic bill payments ...

Simple

... and if your friends are Simple customers, you can instantly send them money without Venmo's delays.

Simple

Simple also has far and away the best customer service of any bank I've used.

Simple

Customer service replies very quickly and personally to every message you send, and it seems to work hard to solve problems.

Simple

I've gotten replies and answers at night and on weekends and been able to get on the phone with a helpful human being without extended wait times.